This episode delves into toxic behaviours, manipulation, and emotional dynamics, explaining why some people exhibit toxic tendencies and how understanding psychology can provide closure and personal growth.

🎁 Special thanks to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode! #AD Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/sinead

💆‍♀️ MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS
- The Brave Meditation Hub - Use code "MEDITATE" for 20% off
- Finding Yourself 21 Day Meditation Course

📚 FREE RESOURCES
- Monday Musings Weekly Email - Sign Up Here
- How I Dealt With Anxiety (FREE Ebook)
- Relationships You Should Know These Things - Ebook

🎯 CONNECT & STAY UPDATED
- Send questions: Sinead Says Podcast
- Follow Sinead
- Share with a friend who needs this message—they'll thank you later.

📝 ABOUT
Sinead Hegarty hosts The Sinead Says Podcast, where she helps women understand emotions, human behaviour, relationships, and psychology. Passionate about mental health and personal growth, she shares practical tools and insights that empower women to take control of their minds and live purposefully.

🎬 Produced by Dreamers Media Pty Ltd

Brian Pennie shares his journey from a 15-year heroin addiction to becoming a neuroscientist and speaker. He explains how childhood trauma, particularly an unmedicated surgery as an infant, played a role in his struggles with anxiety and addiction. Through deep self-awareness, acceptance, and resilience, he was able to break free from his addiction and dedicate his life to studying neuroscience and helping others.

🎁 Special thanks to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode! #AD Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/sinead

00:00:20 - Growing Up in a Tough NeighboUrhood
00:01:37 - First Encounter with Drugs
00:02:22 - Falling into Addiction
00:03:56 - Living as a Functional Addict
00:10:38 - The Deception of Addiction
00:12:40 - The Power of Acceptance
00:14:01 - Realisation and Acceptance
00:16:59 - Previous Attempts to Change
00:17:52 - The Turning Point
00:19:02 - Finding a New Direction
00:20:28 - Discovering Spirituality
00:21:48 - The Power of Belief and Support
00:23:02 - Journey into Neuroscience
00:24:29 - Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience
00:24:51 - Changing the System
00:30:00 - The Power of Breathwork
00:32:42 - The Need for Meditation and Breathwork in Schools
00:37:23 - Understanding and Regulating Emotions
00:37:58 - The Importance of Action and Practice
00:45:03 - The Power of Self-Talk
00:45:44 - Understanding Self-Talk and Inner Critic
00:47:09 - Challenging Negative Self-Talk and Limiting Beliefs
00:49:20 - Overcoming Fear and Embracing Imperfection
00:55:00 - The Impact of Mindfulness and Meditation
00:55:48 - Different Approaches to Mindfulness and Meditation
00:56:34 - The Role of Trauma in Meditation Practice
00:59:50 - The Power of Mindfulness and Breath work
01:00:57 - Finding Inner Peace Through Meditation
01:01:01 - Returning to Spirituality and Mindfulness
01:02:05 - Future Projects and Where to Find Brian

Links & Resources Mentioned
 • “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk (mentioned at [00:02:52]) – A book explaining how trauma affects the body and mind.

💆‍♀️ MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS
- The Brave Meditation Hub - Use code "MEDITATE" for 20% off
- Finding Yourself 21 Day Meditation Course

📚 FREE RESOURCES
- Monday Musings Weekly Email - Sign Up Here
- How I Dealt With Anxiety (FREE Ebook)
- Relationships You Should Know These Things - Ebook

🎯 CONNECT & STAY UPDATED
- Send questions: Sinead Says Podcast
- Follow Sinead
- Share with a friend who needs this message—they'll thank you later.

📝 ABOUT
Sinead Hegarty hosts The Sinead Says Podcast, where she helps women understand emotions, human behaviour, relationships, and psychology. Passionate about mental health and personal growth, she shares practical tools and insights that empower women to take control of their minds and live purposefully.

🎬 Produced by Dreamers Media Pty Ltd

🚨 The boys are taking over! 🚨 While Sinead is away, Stu and Sam step up to answer the burning questions about dating, ghosting, love bombing, and everything in between. Ever wondered what really goes on in a guy’s head when he stops replying or showers you with attention? We’re breaking it ALL down.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🔥 Love Bombing – Do Guys Know They’re Doing It?

🔥 Ghosting – Is It Ever Justified or Just a Cop-Out?

🔥 Why Men Act Distant After Seeming Super Into You

🔥 How Guys REALLY Feel About Playing Hard to Get

🔥 Dating in 2024 – The Unspoken Rules No One Talks About

🔥 When to Call It a Red Flag vs. When to Give It Time

💡 PLUS: The chaos of dating in Sydney vs. London, unfiltered guy talk on first-date etiquette, and why some guys just can’t commit.

This Episode is for You if…

✅ You’ve ever been ghosted and need closure (or just entertainment).

✅ You want raw, honest answers from guys on why they act the way they do.

✅ You’re navigating modern dating and want to decode the mixed signals.

✅ You love a no-filter, real-talk convo that’s part dating advice, part absolute madness.

🎁 Special thanks to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode! #AD Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/sinead

💆‍♀️ MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS
- The Brave Meditation Hub - Use code "MEDITATE" for 20% off
- Finding Yourself 21 Day Meditation Course

📚 FREE RESOURCES
- Monday Musings Weekly Email - Sign Up Here
- How I Dealt With Anxiety (FREE Ebook)
- Relationships You Should Know These Things - Ebook

🎯 CONNECT & STAY UPDATED
- Send questions: Sinead Says Podcast
- Follow Sinead
- Share with a friend who needs this message—they'll thank you later.

📝 ABOUT
Sinead Hegarty hosts The Sinead Says Podcast, where she helps women understand emotions, human behaviour, relationships, and psychology. Passionate about mental health and personal growth, she shares practical tools and insights that empower women to take control of their minds and live purposefully.

🎬 Produced by Dreamers Media Pty Ltd

Ever feel like life is pulling you in every direction, and you don’t know what’s next? 😵‍💫 You’re not alone.

This free intention-setting meditation is designed to help you:
🌱 Find clarity & direction when you feel lost
💫 Manifest abundance, peace & fulfillment
🧘‍♀️ Recenter yourself & step into your highest self
🔮 Let the universe guide you—while you stay aligned with joy & purpose

✨ What You’ll Experience:
→ A guided meditation to help you set powerful intentions
→ Affirmations to shift your energy & mindset instantly
→ A space to let go, reset, and reconnect with yourself

If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, this meditation will help you reset your mindset and move forward with confidence.

👉 Want more meditations? Sign up for The Brave Way Hub & get exclusive access! The Brave Meditation Hub - Use code "MEDITATE" for 20% off

📥 Loved this meditation? DM me on Instagram @sineadsayspod & let me know what intention you’re setting today! 💛

💆‍♀️ MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS
- The Brave Meditation Hub - Use code "MEDITATE" for 20% off
- Finding Yourself 21 Day Meditation Course

📚 FREE RESOURCES
- Monday Musings Weekly Email - Sign Up Here
- How I Dealt With Anxiety (FREE Ebook)
- Relationships You Should Know These Things - Ebook

🎯 CONNECT & STAY UPDATED
- Send questions: Sinead Says Podcast
- Follow Sinead
- Share with a friend who needs this message—they'll thank you later.

📝 ABOUT
Sinead Hegarty hosts The Sinead Says Podcast, where she helps women understand emotions, human behaviour, relationships, and psychology. Passionate about mental health and personal growth, she shares practical tools and insights that empower women to take control of their minds and live purposefully.

🎬 Produced by Dreamers Media Pty Ltd

What Do a Viral GAA Catfish Scandal and Molly-Mae’s Latest Documentary Have in Common? More Than You Might Think… 👀

At first glance, the GAA Catfish scandal and Molly-Mae’s documentary seem completely different—one is about deception, the other about personal growth. But both stories highlight something we see every day: the power of perception, the illusions created on social media, and the role intention plays in shaping our reality.

🔍 Inside This Episode:

🔹 The GAA Catfish & The Illusion of Identity – This wild story proves how easy it is to manipulate perception online. It raises huge questions about why people create false personas and why we fall for them.

🔹 Molly-Mae & The Pressure of Public Image – On the other side, Molly-Mae’s documentary explores how public perception affects self-worth, and how the pressure to be seen a certain way can lead to living up to an illusion rather than your authentic self.

🔹 The Role of Intention – Whether it’s a fake identity or a curated highlight reel, both stories remind us that we shape our own reality—consciously or unconsciously. The key is intentionality: Are you building a life that’s true to you, or one designed to impress others?

🔹 How This Ties into Manifestation – The way we present ourselves, the stories we tell, and the intentions we set shape our lives more than we realize. Whether we’re manifesting success or falling into the trap of external validation, our intentions determine the reality we experience.

At the core of both stories is a big question:
👉 Are we in control of our identity, or is social media controlling it for us?

🎁 Special thanks to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode! #AD Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/sinead

💆‍♀️ MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS
- The Brave Meditation Hub - Use code "MEDITATE" for 20% off
- Finding Yourself 21 Day Meditation Course

📚 FREE RESOURCES
- Monday Musings Weekly Email - Sign Up Here
- How I Dealt With Anxiety (FREE Ebook)
- Relationships You Should Know These Things - Ebook

🎯 CONNECT & STAY UPDATED
- Send questions: Sinead Says Podcast
- Follow Sinead
- Share with a friend who needs this message—they'll thank you later.

📝 ABOUT
Sinead Hegarty hosts The Sinead Says Podcast, where she helps women understand emotions, human behaviour, relationships, and psychology. Passionate about mental health and personal growth, she shares practical tools and insights that empower women to take control of their minds and live purposefully.

🎬 Produced by Dreamers Media Pty Ltd

In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that so many women struggle with—how to break free from self-consciousness and finally feel at home in your own body. From societal conditioning to personal breakthroughs, we’re exploring how to cultivate presence, confidence, and true freedom in your everyday life.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🌸 Why Women Struggle to Be Fully Present
Discover how societal expectations and self-consciousness keep us stuck and how to change the narrative.

🌸 Shifting from Self-Judgment to Self-Love
Learn how to embrace your body as it is, and let go of perfectionism and comparison.

🌸 Practical Tips for Confidence and Freedom
Actionable advice to feel more grounded, joyful, and confident every day.

🌸 How to Cultivate a Mindful and Empowered Life
Simple practices to help you focus on what truly matters and create a life you love.

Key Takeaways:

• Women often miss out on life’s moments because of self-conscious thoughts—here’s how to change that.
• You are not alone in feeling this way; understanding this can empower you to grow.
• Seeing real bodies, shifting your perspective, and letting go of societal expectations can set you free.

Favorite Quote from the Episode:
"It's so hard for us to exist fully in our own bodies when we’re taught to constantly observe them."

This Episode is Perfect For:

• Women ready to stop judging themselves and start living fully.
• Anyone who feels held back by societal standards or self-doubt.
• Listeners looking for actionable steps to build confidence and presence.

🎁 Special thanks to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode! #AD Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/sinead

📚 MENTIONED BOOKS:
Woman Living Deliciously

💆‍♀️ MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS
- The Brave Meditation Hub - Use code "MEDITATE" for 20% off
- Finding Yourself 21 Day Meditation Course

📚 FREE RESOURCES
- Monday Musings Weekly Email - Sign Up Here
- How I Dealt With Anxiety (FREE Ebook)
- Relationships You Should Know These Things - Ebook

🎯 CONNECT & STAY UPDATED
- Send questions: Sinead Says Podcast
- Follow Sinead
- Share with a friend who needs this message—they'll thank you later.

📝 ABOUT
Sinead Hegarty hosts The Sinead Says Podcast, where she helps women understand emotions, human behaviour, relationships, and psychology. Passionate about mental health and personal growth, she shares practical tools and insights that empower women to take control of their minds and live purposefully.

🎬 Produced by Dreamers Media Pty Ltd

Turn those post-Christmas blues into your best year ever! I'm sharing my exact system for setting goals that actually work (no crazy New Year's resolutions needed).

🎯 IN THIS EPISODE:
Why feeling bad after Christmas is actually a good sign
My simple 4-part system for setting goals that work
How to break big dreams into tiny daily steps
The books that changed my life (and could change yours)
Easy apps to help you stay on track

⭐️ PERFECT FOR:
Anyone feeling a bit down after Christmas
People who want to change but don't know where to start
Those tired of failing their New Year's resolutions
Anyone wanting to make 2025 different from past years

🎁 Special thanks to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode! #AD Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/sinead

📚 MENTIONED BOOKS:
The Magic
Break Up With Your Phone
Atomic Habits
Woman Living Deliciously
101 Essays to Change the Way You Think
The Power of Now
The Code of Extraordinary Mind

📱 HELPFUL APPS MENTIONED:
Focus App (for limiting social media)
Runner App (for getting back to exercise)

💆‍♀️ MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS
- The Brave Meditation Hub - Use code "MEDITATE" for 20% off
- Finding Yourself 21 Day Meditation Course

📚 FREE RESOURCES
- Monday Musings Weekly Email - Sign Up Here
- How I Dealt With Anxiety (FREE Ebook)
- Relationships You Should Know These Things - Ebook

🎯 CONNECT & STAY UPDATED
- Send questions: Sinead Says Podcast
- Follow Sinead
- Share with a friend who needs this message—they'll thank you later.

📝 ABOUT
Sinead Hegarty hosts The Sinead Says Podcast, where she helps women understand emotions, human behaviour, relationships, and psychology. Passionate about mental health and personal growth, she shares practical tools and insights that empower women to take control of their minds and live purposefully.

🎬 Produced by Dreamers Media Pty Ltd

A raw & honest conversation about unexpected life changes, motherhood, and finding joy in a completely different life than planned.

🎯 IN THIS EPISODE:
- The moment everything changed (from "never wanting kids" to motherhood)
- Navigating single motherhood & co-parenting
- How friendships evolve through major life changes
- Finding purpose beyond the "laptop lifestyle"
- The reality of moving home after years abroad

⭐️ PERFECT FOR:
- Anyone going through major life transitions
- Those questioning traditional life paths
- Women navigating unexpected motherhood
- Friends supporting new moms
- Anyone feeling stuck in their comfort zone

🎁 Special thanks to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode! #AD Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/sinead

👤 TODAY'S GUEST - SIOBHAN O'HAGAN
- Follow Siobhan Instagram
- Visit The Self Improvement Project
- About: Personal Trainer, Nutritionist and Yoga Teacher, with almost a decade of experience coaching women to feel stronger while enjoying a balanced lifestyle.

💆‍♀️ MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS
- The Brave Meditation Hub - Use code "MEDITATE" for 20% off
- Finding Yourself 21 Day Meditation Course

📚 FREE RESOURCES
- Monday Musings Weekly Email - Sign Up Here
- How I Dealt With Anxiety (FREE Ebook)
- Relationships You Should Know These Things - Ebook

🎯 CONNECT & STAY UPDATED
- Send questions: Sinead Says Podcast
- Follow Sinead
- Share with a friend who needs this message—they'll thank you later.

📝 ABOUT
Sinead Hegarty hosts The Sinead Says Podcast, where she helps women understand emotions, human behaviour, relationships, and psychology. Passionate about mental health and personal growth, she shares practical tools and insights that empower women to take control of their minds and live purposefully.

🎬 Produced by Dreamers Media Pty Ltd

Feeling stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts and low motivation? I share the exact steps that helped me reset after hitting rock bottom. This isn't just theory - these are the real techniques that pulled me out of my own mental rut.

What you'll learn:
- The subtle signs you're stuck in a rut (and why your phone might be making it worse)
- My personal dopamine detox strategy
- The unexpected power of breaking routine (featuring whale watching!)
- Simple visualisation techniques to rewire your thoughts
- Daily practices that actually work for mental clarity

🎧 If you're struggling with low energy, overwhelm, or feeling numb, this episode is your roadmap back to feeling alive and motivated.

🎁 Special thanks to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode! Listeners get 10% off your first month when you sign up using the link #AD (https://www.betterhelp.com/sinead)


#MentalHealth #SelfImprovement #PersonalDevelopment #MindsetReset #WellnessJourney

💆‍♀️ MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS
- The Brave Meditation Hub - Use code "MEDITATE" for 20% off
- Finding Yourself 21 Day Meditation Course

📚 FREE RESOURCES
- Monday Musings Weekly Email - Sign Up Here
- How I Dealt With Anxiety (FREE Ebook)
- Relationships You Should Know These Things - Ebook

🎯 CONNECT & STAY UPDATED
- Send questions: Sinead Says Podcast
- Follow Sinead
- Share with a friend who needs this message—they'll thank you later.

📝 ABOUT
Sinead Hegarty hosts The Sinead Says Podcast, where she helps women understand emotions, human behaviour, relationships, and psychology. Passionate about mental health and personal growth, she shares practical tools and insights that empower women to take control of their minds and live purposefully.

🎬 Produced by Dreamers Media Pty Ltd

Your best friend is back with her cheating ex, and you're watching the trainwreck unfold... Here's exactly what to do (from someone who's been on both sides) 💭

Real talk about:
- Why people REALLY go back to cheating exes
- The psychology behind forgiveness vs enabling
- How to support without losing your sanity
- Setting boundaries with friends' toxic partners

Plus more unfiltered advice on:
- Dating someone who's "not ready" (& what that actually means)
- When your partner earns more but expects you to do everything
- Breaking free from body image issues
- The relationship red flags your friends are too nice to mention

⏰ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Welcome & Updates
2:53 When Your Friend Takes Back a Cheater
15:20 "Not Ready" for Relationships Explained
19:42 Money & Relationship Dynamics
31:15 Body Image Real Talk
38:26 Relationship Q&A with Sam

🎁 Special thanks to BetterHelp for sponsoring! Get 10% off your first month: (https://www.betterhelp.com/sinead) #AD 

💆‍♀️ MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS
- The Brave Meditation Hub - Use code "MEDITATE" for 20% off
- Finding Yourself 21 Day Meditation Course

📚 FREE RESOURCES
- Monday Musings Weekly Email - Sign Up Here
- How I Dealt With Anxiety (FREE Ebook)
- Relationships You Should Know These Things - Ebook

🎯 CONNECT & STAY UPDATED
- Send questions: Sinead Says Podcast
- Follow Sinead
- Share with a friend who needs this message—they'll thank you later.

📝 ABOUT
Sinead Hegarty hosts The Sinead Says Podcast, where she helps women understand emotions, human behaviour, relationships, and psychology. Passionate about mental health and personal growth, she shares practical tools and insights that empower women to take control of their minds and live purposefully.

🎬 Produced by Dreamers Media Pty Ltd